Sun! the unexhausted fountain, Whence flow warmth and genial light, By whom Day to us is given Loaded with untold delight! He who hath with glory charged thee That we may not rudely gaze, Was on Calvary obscured-- Well thou dark'nedst with amaze. Moon! who star-attended glidest Through the sky with queenly grace; Shining now in placid splendour, Veiling now with clouds thy face: He who hides thee--brings light to thee From that sun, whose Sun is He, Was eclipsed,--his beams were clouded, On the ignominious tree. Thunder! who within thy cradle Of the sable cloud dost rock: Rolling through expanse of heaven, Shaking earth with fearful shock! He who overawes the nations, In thy mighty noise confessed, Groaned and sighed with troubled spirit, By our guilt and sin oppressed. Lightning wild! thy child the Thunder, Thou dost wrap the world in fire: Sodom perished by thee stricken, Doomed by Heaven's long-slumbering ire. He who formed thee--could command thee Earth to cleanse and man to slay, Gave Himself an expiation-- Saved by death from Death his prey. Tempests! who disclose the caverns, Dungeons drear beneath the seas, Toying with the proudest navies, Hurling down the giant trees: He who curbs your wildest fury, Calms you like to infant's breath, As a lamb Himself surrendered, Bowed his reverend head in death! Peer of Angels! space outreaching. Stars, sun, moon, thy grandeur show; Thunder, lightning, earthquake, tempest, Less in might sublime than THOU! For thy welfare, haughty Rebel, Thee from error back to bring, Jesus meekly bore thine insults: Weep--repent--believe--and sing! III. THE CONQUEROR. From Edom whom see I returned More beauteous than break of the dawn? The foes He hath conquered and spurned Who proudly against Him were drawn. With blood his fair raiment is dyed, How sharp are his arrows and sword: The fame of his prowess be wide, His name through the world be adored! IV. LOSS AND GAIN. In Eden--Memory e'er will tell, How honours thick as dew that fell Were lost: alas, man's crown! On Calvary, did Mercy bring More lofty honours--I will sing The Victor's high renown. V. "CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED." Rough our way and dark the night, Strong our foes but small our might, Prone to droop our faithless mind, Life before, but death behind: Sing we as we journey on, --"_Christon Estaurômenon!_"[2]